Just picked up my TRD Pro and I have never gone off roading before, I'm wondering if anyone's put together a best practices or which buttons/options to hit for which situation for it to be optimal.

There are a lot of crawl control threads around here so you should probably do a search on that. On YouTube too. There are a lot of videos and even an official one (or more?):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg5Xm1i0IBo

Same with DAC.

My advise though is not to rely on either of those too much. They have their uses and can be nice but I think they can also drive you right into trouble if you let the truck drive itself.

IMHO, ATRAC should ALWAYS be on in 4-low. I have no idea why my truck defaults to it off or why you'd want to have it off - other than to do a quick check of how much butt your vehicle is kicking compared to a a full open-diff model.

There are times when ATRAC can get you in trouble which is why it is not default on.

OP, read your owner's manual on that subject. Also read your sun visor.

Check to see if there are any 4x4 101 or off-road consulting courses in your area. You can also post in the off-roading section to see if there are any trail rides going on around you to go out a couple of times with more experienced people. I'd hope that most would be more than helpful in showing you some basics.

@jayhat did it first, but a quick, users guide for the different systems. How to engage, and conditions used for:

Things you did not know about your 4runner (unfortunately, my location doesn't let me get into google docs, so can't see if it's still up, but Jay definitely deserves uber credit for this).

If not, there's a pdf version from @MasonCO

Things you did not know about your 4runner

EDIT: This is a quick guide only. This is not a substitute for the classes, going out and trying the stuff in controlled situations, or going out with seasoned/experienced people. The best system is still between the ears.

Thanks for mentioning The doc is still up (Print double sided and throw in the glove box): https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1M...Q3c1VONUk/view

As said, this is real basic. Also not perfect - there are some typos etc.

Example? I can see where it could get you into DEEPER trouble - gets you barely over one obstacle and into one you have no chance at - but a locker can do the same thing. I'm having trouble imagining a scenario where I wouldn't want it on. I guess I can also see the case of a novice drivingly merrily along and not understanding that ATRAC is working overtime to keep them going and that they're already on the limit even though it doesn't seem like the vehicle is struggling....

edit: well now that I think of it in muddy/sandy conditions you might want to keep them churning so I might turn ATRAC off for that. Where I live you rarely encounter that - most trails are super rocky. Still seems like it should default on though.

There are times when ATRAC is total failure. A very steep loose climb that requires momentum is a great example. What I don't understand is why they made ATRAC a momentary switch on the 4runner. It is a toggle switch on the FJ. It would make much more sense that way.

FWIW, I leave Atrac on when in 4lo, but I don't pretend that Atrac, or my diff locker, will get me everywhere. If you're not sure, walk it first.

A couple of weeks ago I got stuck in a hole going up a hill that, deflated tires, Atrac, diff lock, and crawl control couldn't get me out of. Stacking rocks was the only way to get out.

On Sunday, I went up a hill that had a crest that was solid rock. I high centered and was only able to get out with a winch. I should have walked that one first.

Used crawl control for the first time on Sunday also. Was trying to pull out a friend who was stuck in sand. Buried myself to the hubs. Turned on crawl control, and sat back and waited, and waited, and waited. Noisy as hell, but got me out.

Atrac is not default because in the right (ie incorrect) circumstances it can overheat your brakes. This is why crawl control is time-limited as well. I'm not sure how Rover's terrain-response system manages this but I'll look into it. I reccomend reading up on how the systems work and most definitely taking an offroad driving course so you get a feel for all the dynamics going on and what it's doing to both your truck and the trail.

There's a discussion titled "a-trac 101" over on ih8mud that may be of some use. It's under FAQs in the 100 series section.

Oh that's a good point. It'd have to be working very hard though. I think it has sensors to sense that but by then the brakes would be very hot. I can see that. I always turn mine on though and wish it was the other way around.

Oh, sorry for hijacking this thread completely. Back to the original poster's issues....

Trying to get started on a loose rocky or snow and ice covered hill. ATRAC is going to get you stuck there.

My 2 cents ....

Start small and DO NOT GO ALONE at first. It doesn't have to be a 4Runner group. You just don't want to be stranded. Its always good to see how others and other vehicles handle different trails.

You want to learn how to drive off-road first before using the techie stuff. You need to understand what is happening before you can know how to use the 4Runner's tools. Learning how much throttle and when to use it is something that takes time.

Once you've done a trail section manually try it with crawl control or atrac or with a locked rear diff or with terrain select.

Find local easy trails and go SLOW. Speed will kill you off-road. There is a difference between momentum and speed. Remember you are not running the Dakar or Baja 1000.

Also keep in mind you'll be larger than most other things on the trail. Yield to others. Slow down for people, mountain bikers and other. No one likes eating dust and its not funny. If you come to horses, STOP and let them pass or ask what the riders want you to do.

Yeah, OP. Do you know about the So Cal section on this forum? So Cal - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

There are rides happening pretty consistently, from short spur-of-the-moment runs to large, very organized multi-day treks. There always seems to be experienced locals more than willing to help a newbie.

And when he says SLOW he means SLOW! Bumpy roads are one thing but obstacles often need to be taken at less than walking pace. I don't have crawl control but I do have DAC and my biggest problem with DAC is that it often wants to go too fast - and it keeps the truck at like 3mph or something!